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San Juan County man accused of second-degree criminal sexual penetration

By Hannah Grover The Daily Times

Updated:
05/15/2014 08:29:53 PM MDT

FARMINGTON — A San Juan County resident was arrested Thursday and is accused of trying to force himself onto a woman, according to a press release from the San Juan County Sheriff's Office.

Matthew Castillo, 27, had allegedly been drinking on Thursday with a woman at a home on County Road 5793. The woman eventually went to bed to sleep before work the next morning, police said.

At that point, police say Castillo entered the woman's room and demanded sex. When she refused, Castillo removed her underwear and attempted to force himself on her, according to the press release.

Police say the woman tried to fight off Castillo but he beat her around the face and choked her until she was on the verge of unconsciousness.

Other adults in the house ran to help her after hearing the commotion, according to the press release. Castillo fled out the window wearing only a shirt, underwear and a blanket, police said.

Officers responded to the incident at about 2 a.m. Deputies established a perimeter, and the Farmington Police Department sent K-9 units to help with the search. The dogs found Castillo shortly after, according to the press release.

He was uncooperative during interviews, but detectives secured a search warrant to collect and preserve evidence on Castillo's person, according to the press release.

Castillo was booked into the San Juan County Adult Detention Center on charges of second-degree criminal sexual penetration, third-degree aggravated battery on a household member, fourth-degree false imprisonment and misdemeanor resisting arrest.

His bond was set at $45,600.

Hannah Grover covers news, arts and religion for The Daily Times. She can be reached at 505-564-4652 and hgrover@daily-times.com. Follow her @hmgrover on Twitter.